We use Holmans wood at Chudleigh in South Devon because it is very well run and bad behaviour is not tolerated. Very few facilities other than a large playing field and showers/loos however the coast/moors/woods are nearby so no shortage of places to go within easy reach.
We have just spent a fortnight at the caravan, we had 3 tents pitched in the central area at various times and not one of them was inconsiderate or noisy and given one had 2 children in it I was very pleasantly surprised.
Steer clear of commercialised sites, they may have it all in one place but at what cost? A ruined holiday, loutish behaviour and a feeling of dread as to what is gonna happen next? No thanks.
I think you were very unlucky. Cornwall in summer can attract campers who don't normally camp, but do it with their mates as cheap holiday, and are only there for the booze - you just happen to have found a few. In some popular areas it can be a help to use club sites, because casual tent users who are not into camping are not club members, so don't stay on club sites. Unfriendly people are unusual on campsites, but they do crop up; people who would try to vandalise your tent are very, very rare thank goodness. If you could see where they came from, you would be well withing your rights to call the police, because it is criminal damage at least, and could easily be considered threatening behaviour in those circumstances. If you saw who did it, the site owners should have thrown them off immediately, assuming you informed them.
------------- Best regards
Geoff [email protected] http://goldenyearsirenfm.blogspot.com/
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.